New Ad Encourages Republican Support for Marriage Equality

In a new ad released Friday, Republican San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders speaks out about his support for marriage equality and the need for more Republicans to embrace gay couples’ right to marry.

“As a Republican, I believe in conservative values like responsibility and limited government,” says Sanders, who came out in support for marriage equality in 2007.

The ad is a joint effort by the Human Rights Campaign and Freedom to Marry and is scheduled to air in the Tampa area during the Republican National Convention next week.

Despite the GOP’s reaffirmation of their opposition to marriage equality in the party’s national platform, the ad is an attempt to convince Republican faithful that conservative principals regarding freedom and personal liberty should apply to gay couples’ right to marry.

“Republicans talk about values such as freedom, limited government, and personal responsibility, values that support the freedom to marry. Our ad showcases Republicans who are living up to the values they proclaim, pointing the way for the party to get with the majority of Americans and on the right side of history,” said Evan Wolfson, founder and President of Freedom to Marry.

According to HRC President Chad Griffin, “This ad is proof that we’re not willing to leave any group of Americans behind in the national conversation over treating gay and lesbian couples with dignity and respect.”

WATCH the ad here:

Justin Snow is Metro Weekly's former political editor and White House correspondent. Follow him on Twitter @JustinCSnow.